Die casting machine



May 27, 1941. c, sTAHL 2,243,293

DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed March 31, 19 9 3 Sheet-Sheet 1 m w 46- g I 6/ 4- j 50d 1 I 30 33 Z3 27 n; :::3; 26 a I 1 v .3 H. 52

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May27, 1941. QSTAHL 2,243,293

DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed March 31, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 2 May 27, 1941. c sTAHL DIE CASTING MACHINE Filed March 31, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE DIE CASTING MACHINE Carl Stahl, Galesburg, Ill. Application March 31, 1939, Serial No. 265,285

8 Claims.

My invention relates to machines used in die casting operations wherein it is a usual practice to make such castings out of a relatively soft metal capable of liquifying at relatively low temperatures. Such relatively soft metals are inclined to be sensitive to sudden temperature changes, making it possible to easily handle the metal in its liquid form in casting operations by what is known as the slush method.

This slush method is a quick and practical die casting method wherein the hot metal is forced into the die cavity, the walls of which are a number of degrees cooler than the hot metal causing that portion of the hot metal which strikes the cool walls of the die cavity to quickly solidify, forming a metallic shell leaving the major part of the hot metal in the cavity free to escape therefrom back into the source of supply of the molten metal.

An object of my invention is to provide a die .casting machine wherein the construction is simple and economical and the operation thereof is quick and convenient.

' A further purpose of my invention is to provide a die casting machine of such simple construction and easy operation that it may be made conveniently portable.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide a die casting machine which may be successfully operated either by manual, electrical; compressed air or steam control means and the like.

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rounding the discharge nozzle so that this nozzle is kept hot preventing the casting metal from solidifying in the passage thereof.

I attain the objects of my invention by the die .casting machine described in this specification and defined in the claims. The drawings connected herewith comprehensively disclose the intended construction of the invention in suflicient detail to illustrate the novel and salient features thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the die casting machine mechanism shown without the control mechanism therefor.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the die casting machine shown in Fig. 1 and also omitting the control mechanism therefor.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of my die casting machine with a manual control mechanism and showing the casting die in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the casting die with the removable part thereof slidably pulled away from theflxed portion of the die block so that the casting formed therein may be discharged from the die cavity.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing an electrical control for the die casting machine and also showing one manner in which the machine may be A further 'purpose of my invention is to provide a die casting machine which may be operatively supported with its bottom end resting upon a means of support within a vat of hot die casting metal.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide a die casting machine wherein the casting operation is accomplished by a controlling movement of the die exerting a pressure upon'a hot metal pump mechanism rather than that type of die casting machine which operatively holds the die in stationary position.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide in a die casting machine not only a means of directly handl ng the" hot metal from its source of supply to a die cavity without moving the same through small feed pipes and the' like, but also 'to'provide in connection with such a direct handling of this metal, a hot well or bowl at the top end of a pressure pump having a top terminal nozzle for the discharge of the fluid metal therefrom into the casting die with the hot well sun/55 operatively supported with the base thereof resting within a vat of hot die casting metal.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional detail showing the pump mechanism open and full of hot casting metal.

An outstanding feature of this invention is found in its construction wherein an intermediate hot metal pressure chamber mounted so that it may be either supported very near or supported within a vat of hot die casting metal with such support providedcn a bracket or other substantial base of sup ort; thus permitting a comparatively short travel of the hot casting metal, through large openings, as this metal is handled by the pump mechanism which moves it. In the same construction of the invention, I am providing a hot well or bowl at the top of the pump mechanism which moves the metal with the advantage that the discharge nozzle in this pump mechanism being secured down through the center of the hot well, is kept constantly heated by the hot casting metal, in the hot well so that when the hot casting metal is forced through, the central passage of this nozzle it will not solidify therein and. close the passage.

is operatively I mechanism of my die casting machine makes the same conveniently portable; while the essential operating features thereof make it wholly possible and practical to control the same by automatic means of one kind or another, if desired, in addition to its very easy manual control.

A further feature of novelty in my machine is found in its mechanical arrangement. The casting die is moved in the casting operation rather than an ,ordinary construction wherein the die is held stationary, and in this construction the movement of the die in its casting operation actuates the pumping mechanism by exerting a pressure thereon forcing the die casting metal through the nozzle and core up into t) die cavity.

I shall now describe the mechanical features of my invention in a manner which will comprehensively disclose the merits thereof and the several advantages of my machine will become evident as the essential features thereof are pointed out.

I prefer to operatively support my die casting machine on an upright frame I in order to provide for the convenient manipulation of the machine as well as a convenience in moving the same when it is necessary to make it portable.

Although it is possible to use my die casting machine in supporting positions more remote from the source of supply of the hot die casting metal, I find it more easily operated and capable of a quicker action if, when it is used, it is supported in a practical manner permitting the bottom end 2 of the frame I, the lower end 3 of intake tube 4 and the lower end of the inverted sleeve type pressure pump member 5 to be submerged in the hot die casting metal, thus providing an arrangement which will make the die casting decidedly more direct, permitting the hot metal to be handled through large passages all the way from its source of supply up to the point in my machine where the hot metal can be directly forced with a pressure from the pump mechanism through very short passages into the die cavity.

It is obvious that with this convenient operating position directly in contact with the hot die casting metal, there will be a substantial advantage in the quick and convenient handling of the,

hot metal during the casting operation.

The pump mechanism of my machine includes the upright lower tube 4, the inverted telescoping sleeve member 8 and the control arms 1 and 8 which move sleeve 5. r

In conjunction with these outer parts of the pump mechanism, I am providing new and novel features thereof which facilitate a successful operation of this pump including a lower intake check valve 8 at the base end 3 of tube member 4 and admitting the hot die casting metal H from a vat l2 up through the inner passage I3 of tube 4. Thus when thehot metal II is to be moved by this pump mechanism, the movement thereof starts with the inverted sleeve 3 telescoped over tube 4 completely where sleeve 6 is ready to be lifted to suck the hot metal into the pump through intake check valve 9 and up through the inside l3 of tube 4 and through the upper check valve l4 resting on the top end I5 of tube 4 where the casting metal enters the intermediate receiving chamber l8 for the hot metal ll.

Thus, by the time counter balance I! pivotally supported on bracket I8 has lifted inverted Sleeve 6 by control arms I and 8 up to its top limit in the suction movement drawing in the hot metal into the pump chamber l8, then the pump mechanism' is ready for the die casting movement.

It will be noted that I am describing the operation of my die casting machine in a manner in which it would be handled by manual control but it is obvious that the construction of my machine will permit its automatic operation from the beginning to the end of a die casting operation.

Lever l9 pivotally supported by bracket is preferably provided with a gear segment 2| meshing with a die lifting gear rack 22 which controls the movement of the casting die in my machine consisting of the detachably fixedsection 23 of the die block and the supplementary movable section 24 of the same. This die block section 23 has a designed cavity 25 and section 24 has a designed cavity 25 supplementing cavity 25. This movable section 24 of the die block is slidably supported on horizontal bars 21 and 28 and both sections 23 and 24 of the die are preferably provided with water cooling passages 29 and 30; while the movable section 24 of the die is provided with resiliently mounted ejector pins 3| and 32 for kicking out the casting that has been formed in the die cavity when the die sections are properly fitted together for the die casting operation.

It will be noted in the drawings that I am illustrating a core member 33 which is made integral with a supporting plate 34 to which a pair of upright holding pins 35 and 36 are secured with coil spring members ,3! and 38 respectively encompassing the same as these springs rest upon sleeves 53 and 54, respectively, integral with die block 23 and rack 22 controlled. by lever I3.

Thus die block 23, core plate 34 and sleeves 53 and 54 with core pins 35 and 36 and their stop member caps 45 and 46 may all be lifted and lowered by moving rack 22 with lever [9; but core pins 35 and 36 with core plate 34 supporting core 33 will be stopped in an upward movement when caps 45 and 46 strike bumper pins 55-and 56 under plate 41. Caps 45 and 46 are fitted over top ends of and carried by core pins 35 and 35, respectively.

It will be borne in mind that the die casting operation utilized in this'description is known as a slush molding operation or slush casting operation wherein a core member of the type of core 33 is needed.

In order to appreciate the merits of my die casting machine, it is essential that its novel construction be understood.

In an analysis of the construction of the pump mechanism which moves the die casting metal from its source of supply to the die cavity, it will be observed that I am providing a very essential feature of novel construction in this double acting pump.

For instance, when forcing the hot metal into the die cavity out of the intermediate receiving chamber l5 ofinverted sleeve 5, this metal moves through passage 40 of nozzle I0 and this nozzle thus communicating with intermediate chamber I5 of sleeve 5, is secured to the top end 4| of this inverted sleeve 6 of this double acting pump.

As a special feature of merit in this pump construction, I am placing nozzle III in position where it seats in a top hot well 42 adapted to be constantly filled with hot casting metal which very effectively keeps nozzle I0 hotv and its central passage 4!) always open. This precaution in the pump construction is essential to a speedy, continuous, and dependable operation of my die casting machine, since, if nozzle I 3 was permitted to cool, then its central passage 43 would become clogged with solidifying casting metal which is very sensitive to cool surfaces with which it comes in contact.

It will be noted that the top end 43 of nozzle Io has a male cone-shape while the bottom end 44 of core member 33 is shaped to define a corresponding female cone-shape adapted to snug-.

1y fit the top end 43 of nozzle Hi; In fact, this fitting arrangement of the two cone members is fluid-proof.

This fluid-proof fitting contact between core 33 and nozzle I is very essential when forcing hot casting metal H up into the die cavity from the pump chamber l6.

Another feature of merit in my die casting machine is found in the fact that during the die casting operation, this die itself is forcefully moved into contact with the pump mechanism where the pressure exerted by the moving die is applied to the top cone terminal of nozzle H). In the illustrated form of the construction of my machine this pressure contact from the die block down upon nozzle II! is applied through the bottom cone end of core 33.

To those who are skilled in this class of mechanical operations, it will be obvious that other forms of fluid proof connections would be vractical and operative in cases where core members such as core 33 may not be needed.

For instance, in some forms of solid casting operations, this core 33 may not be needed since in its construction, as shown, thls core is utilized in connection with a slush casting operation.

It will be noted, also, that as a feature of practical convenience, I am providing a pair of needed to accomplish a slush mold operation in handling the hot metal II which is forced with pressure into the die cavity. Stop members 45 and 46 come in contact with cross plate 41 which effectively stops the upward movement of core 33 when the die block is being lifted away from the contact with nozzle ID by the controlof the die manipulatinglever l9.

Thus, it will be observed that when the die block sections 23 and 24 rigidly assembled into co-registry for the die casting operation with core 33 extending up into the di cavity formed by cavity 25 and 26; assembled, and when the inverted sleeve 6 of the pump, handling the casting metal, has been lifted by the automatic counter balance I! filling the intermediate pressure chamber l6 of sleeve 6 with the hot metal ready contact is made then this lever l9 or any desired mechanism adapted to receive an application of die casting power, the necessary power is applied to force the moving die against nozzle l3, moving the inverted sleeve 6 of the castin metal pump down over tube 4, effecting with a vigorous pressure a quick and forceful transfer of this hot metal ll up through passage 43 of nozzle l3, through the central passage in core 33 and up into the die cavity formed by the coregistry designed cavity sections 25 and 26 in die sections 23 and 24 respectively.

A successful slush mold operation of this die casting machine requires that die sections 23 and 24 be maintained at comparatively lower temperatures than the hot metal which enters them so that 'when the not sensitive casting metal strikes the cooler walls of the die cavity'that portion of this metal which touches the wall surface will instantly solidify and in the slush casting operation, will thus instantly cast a shell of solidified metal about the inner wall of the die cavity.

When this casted shell is quickly formed, the desired result is accomplished in forming a slush casting with the effect that the. casting is provided with a thin wall formed by the solidified shell from the hot metal.

This operation requires but an instant after which the die together with core 33 is readily lifted off of nozzle Ill by a reversal of the control lever action, permitting the excess hot casting'metal to run-down out of the solidified shell 50 of the desired casting. This excess hot metal escapes down through the central opening 43 of core 33 falling upon nozzle l0 and into hot well 42 or runs back into the source of supply of hot metal I I in the vat, if hot well 42 should overtrated one of my die casting machines resting we support in a vat of hot metal and shown in a "set up wherein the casting and pump operations are accomplished by an electric motor control with the control motor 49 connected with the casting machin mechanism through a control cam. v

It is conceivable that my die casting machine .rnay be successfully operated not only by hand,

as illustrated, but also by automatic control means of one kind or another.

For. instance, in some situations it may be desired to use an electric motor with a control cam and necessary control levers actuated from the cam. In other situations it may be more satisfactory to utilize a compressed air control mechanism or steam or other power means which may not here be mentioned.

The essential salient and novel features of my invention, however, are found in mydie casting machine as herein described with certain minor modifications, thereof, which are wholly within the scope of the invention regardless of what automatic or manual control means may be,used for the control of the machine. I

This core 33, which is thus resiliently movable up into the die, enters the die cavity far enough to be able toshape the lower end of the casting by its outer core surface, whereas the outer surface of the casting is shaped by the lower end of the die cavity. After the casting shell is thus formed and the die and core lifted off of nozzle l then the core 33 is momentarily held in its position-extending up into the die cavity so that the lower end of the casting may become more firmly solidified. After this momentary stopping of the upward die movement then a further movement of the lifting lever raising the die will bring adjustable stop members 45 and 46 in contact with the end stopping plate causing the die block thus to move on up leaving core 33 at rest; and this die continues to move up until the top end of core 33 clears the bottom of casting 50 at which point in the operation, the die block sections may be separated by slidably removing the movable part of the die to release the casting. When casting shell 50 is withdrawn from die cavity section 25, it may adhere to die cavity section 26 until it is kicked out by the automatic resilient action of the casting ejector pins 3| and 32 permitting this casting to drop into a receptacle therefor and thus clearing the casting machine for further steps toward another casting operation.

After core 33 has been thus resiliently forced down out of the way of the removal of the casting 50 this core will automatically be retracted back up into the die cavity where it remains during a die casting operation.

Heretofore, die casting machines have been made so that the hot metal has to be carried by goose necks or small pipes to the die wherever it was stationed, but in my machine I prefer to have the same seated on a support within the hot casting metal or directly over it.

It will also be observed in the construction of my machine that the die holder is slidably supported on an upright bar or standard 52 equipped with means for holding the die in direct vertical alignment with the pump mechanism so that the cone bottom 44 of the core 33 will properly register in a fluid proof fitting relation over the cone top terminal 43 of nozzle [0.

Having thus described the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a die casting machine having an upright frame for its operative support and adapted to be partially submerged in a vat of hot casting metal, the combination comprising a double acting hot metal sleeve type pump and shaped to define a top outlet nozzle, a hot metal Well about the nozzle to keep the same hot and an intermediate chamber for hot casting metal, a split-type adjustable casting die, and an adjustable support bracket therefor, and means for the selective operative vertical control movement of said die, said pump, and for the release of castings made thereby.

2. In a die casting machine having an upright frame for its operative support and adapted to be partially submerged in a vat of hot casting metal, the combination comprising a double acting hot metal sleeve type pump and shaped to define a top outlet nozzle,'a hot metal well about the nozzle to keep the same hot and an intermediate chamber for hot casting metal, a splittype adjustable casting die, and an adjustable support bracket therefor, and manual control means for the selective operative vertical control movement of said die, said pump, and for the release of castings made thereby.

3. In a die casting machine having an upright frame for its operative support and adapted to be partially submerged in a vat of. hot casting metal, the combination comprising a double acting hot metal sleeve type pump and shaped to define a top outlet nozzle, a hot metal well about the nozzle to keep the same hot and an inter- I mediate chamber for hot casting metal, a splittype adjustable casting die, and an adjustable support bracket therefor, and electrical control means for the selective operative vertical control movement of said die, said pump, and for the release of castings made thereby.

4. A die casting machine comprising an upright frame adaptedto operatively support thelower end of the machine in a partially immersed position in a vat of hot casting metal, an upright double acting suction pump having a bottom intake pump tube and a bottom check valve opening within said hot metal, said double acting pump shaped at its top end to define an-outlet nozzle for hot casting metal and to define a hot metal well about the nozzle'to keep the same hot, said pump further shaped at its top to define an intermediate receiving chamber for hot casting metal and a second intake check valve at the base of said receiving chamber, a casting die operatively adjustable vertically in direct registry over said double acting pump and provided with means for making fluid proof contact with a downward pressure upon said nozzle by the movement of said die and forcing hot casting metal from said double acting pump chamber up into the nozzle and through said fluid proof contact means into a designed cavity in said die, means for operatively controlling said double acting pump to move said casting metal from its source of supply up into the pump, means for forcing said die and said fluid proof contact means with said nozzle downward against said double acting pump to force the hot casting metal in said intermediate pump chamber up into said die cavity by the downward pressure of the die against the pump, means for adjustably supporting said die and means for slidably removing a detachable portion of said die and at the same time ejecting a casting formed in the cavity thereof.

5. A die casting machine, as defined in claim 1, and a core member selectively and resiliently adjustable in its position of registry under said die and aligned in a vertical fitting registry over said nozzle, a fixed portion of said die detachably secured thereto, an adjustable section of said die having casting ejector pins, and horizontal brackets provided for the slidable support and removal of said adjustable die section, said die members each provided with designed supplementary die cavities shaped to receive said removable core when they are operatively assembled in co-registry; resilient means for adjusting the selective positions for said core, means for lifting said pumping sleeve to draw hot metal up into said intermediate hot metal chamber, means for selectively moving said die and core down into contact with .said nozzle and forcing said sleeve slidably downward over said intake tube and thereby forcing the hot metal in said intermediate chamber up through said nozzle and said core into said die cavity, and means for selectively adjusting said core into its predetermined positions for releasing said casting, step by step.

6. A die casting machine, as defined in claim 1, said pump being shaped at its top to define an intermediate receivin chamber for hot casting metal a bottom check valve adapted to open within said hot metal and a second intake check val e at the base of said receiving chamber, an

adjustable and removable resiliently mounted core shaped atits bottom end to define a female cone terminal for making a fluid proof downward pressure contact with said nozzle, the top end of which is shaped to define a corresponding male cone terminal, spring members resiliently supporting upright sliding pin members to which said core is attached and tending to resiliently urge said core up into 'a designed cavity defined in said die, adjustment means on said pin members holding said core for selectively placing the core in a desired operative position, control means for exerting a downward pressure upon said nozzle by the downward movement of said die and core and thus forcing hot casting metal up from said double acting pump chamber into said nozzle and through said core into said designed cavity in said die, means for operatively controlling the telescoping action of said double acting pump in moving said hot casting metal from its source of supply up into the pump, means for adjustably supporting said die and means for slidably removing the detachable portion of said split-type die, for ejecting a casting formed in said designed cavity thereof.

7. A die casting machine, as defined in claim 1, and spring members resiliently supporting upright sliding pin members to which a. core is attached and tending to resiliently urge said core up into said cavity in said die, adjustment means on said pin members holding said core for selectively placing the core in a desired operative position, manual control means for exerting a downward pressure upon said nozzle by the downward movement of said die and core and thus forcing hot casting metal up from said double acting pump chamber into said nozzle and through said core into said cavity in said die.

8. A die casting machine, as defined in claim 1, and having its mechanism shaped to define means for making it conveniently portable, and said split-type casting die having a designed cavity therein and operatively adjustable vertically in direct registry over said double acting pump and provided with an adjustable and removable resiliently mounted core shaped at its bottom end to define a female cone terminal for making a fluid proof downward pressure contact with I said nozzle, the top end of which is shaped to define a corresponding male cone terminal, spring members resiliently supporting upright sliding pin members to which said core is attached and tending to resiliently urge said c'ore up into said designed cavity in said die, adjustment means on said pin members holding said core for selectively placing the core in a desired operative position, control means for exerting a downward pressure upon said nozzle by the downward movement of said die and core and thus forcing hot casting metal up from said double acting pump chamber into said nozzle and through said core into said designed cavity in said die, means for operatively controlling the telescoping action of said double acting pump in moving said hot casting metal from its source of supply up into the pump, and means for slidably removing the dctachable portion of said split-type die.

CARL STAHL. 

